Sabathia: Yanks back to status of 'hated team'

NEW YORK -- The Yankees enjoyed more goodwill than usual last season thanks to their success with young talent like Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez and Luis Severino, but they aren't expecting the same in 2018.

CC Sabathia, fresh off signing a one-year, $10 million deal to return to The Bronx, joined MLB Network's Hot Stove on Thursday and made clear what reception the Yanks anticipate now that they've added Giancarlo Stanton.

NEW YORK -- The Yankees enjoyed more goodwill than usual last season thanks to their success with young talent like Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez and Luis Severino, but they aren't expecting the same in 2018.

CC Sabathia, fresh off signing a one-year, $10 million deal to return to The Bronx, joined MLB Network's Hot Stove on Thursday and made clear what reception the Yanks anticipate now that they've added Giancarlo Stanton.

"Last year, we were the team that everybody loved, that feel-good story," Sabathia said. "But getting Giancarlo just brings us back to being that hated team. That's what we like. We want to go out there, put the best team on the field and crush everybody every game."

With a lineup led by Stanton, Judge and Sanchez, a solid rotation and what might be the best bullpen in baseball, Sabathia and the Yankees might get their wish.

During his brief foray into free agency, Sabathia was reported to have spoken with the Angels and Blue Jays. He revealed on Thursday that he also talked with the Brewers, for whom he pitched in 2008, but Sabathia's first choice was to return to the Yankees.

"I'm a New Yorker now. This is my home," Sabathia said. "I wanted to try to end my career here with the Yankees and hopefully I get a chance to do that."

He and his family recently returned from a three-week trip to South Africa, during which they took a five-day safari and Sabathia was submerged in a shark tank.

"[The offseasons] get shorter every year, but I like the chance to get time off and hang out with my family," Sabathia said. "[I] kind of hang out, work out and get my body right to get ready for the season."

Yankees pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to Tampa, Fla., on Feb. 13, and Sabathia is looking forward to playing under new manager Aaron Boone, with whom he was a teammate for two seasons with the Indians in 2005-06. Sabathia also played with Josh Bard, who is now the Yankees' bench coach.

"I'm excited for what's to come," Sabathia said. "I think he's going to be a great manager for us."

Sabathia, 37, went 14-5 with a 3.69 ERA last season, recording 120 strikeouts in 148 2/3 innings. His 2,846 strikeouts are the most ever by an American League left-hander and third all time among southpaws, trailing only Randy Johnson (4,875) and Steve Carlton (4,136).

"It's something that I never really think about," Sabathia said. "I know people kind of look at me crazy when I say that, but I've never played for that. I've always just tried to go out and do my best and try to get wins for the team. I just want to go out, have a good season and hopefully end up for a parade at the end of the year."